92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY 14 - APRIL 24, 2019 ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU CONTACT INFO

For more information, please contact the Arkansas Farm Bureau Public Affairs and Government Relations Department:

Stanley Hill Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations 501.228.1564 [email protected]

Matt King Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations – National Affairs 501.228.1297 [email protected]

Jeff Pitchford Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations – State Affairs 501.228.1625 [email protected]

Michelle Kitchens Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations – Legislative Research 501.228.1324 [email protected]

Jason Smedley Assistant Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations – Local Affairs and Rural Development 501.228.1627 [email protected]

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2 92nd General Assembly

ach legislative session, I am grateful for the passion of our membership and their efforts to make Arkansas a better environment for Eagriculture. At the core of Farm Bureau’s mission is advocacy for the interests of agriculture in the public arena. Our Farm Bureau leaders go above and beyond. They are constant advocates for agriculture. Thank you for being that voice for agriculture when it would be easier to let someone else speak up. On behalf of Arkansas Farm Bureau, I want to thank the General Assembly and Gov. for being receptive to our work. They have helped us have a great session and we appreciate their support. Farm Bureau loves working with you to make Arkansas a better place. Together we made the state a better place for Arkansas agriculture. We must continue to work on issues that affect our ability to provide food, fiber and shelter for citizens of our state, our country and many parts of the world. We also want to continue to expand opportunities and services to rural Arkansas. I also want to credit our great staff who represent Farm Bureau at the Capitol and across the state. They make us better advocates and are a vital to our success. Arkansas Farm Bureau is a well-known and respected champion for agriculture. It is our heritage. Our goal is that it will always synonymous with our name. I thank you again for your hard work on behalf of Arkansas agriculture and the people of the great state of Arkansas. God bless you and your families, God bless the farmers and ranchers of our state and God bless Arkansas Farm Bureau. —Randy Veach Arkansas Farm Bureau President

3 ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU 2019 SESSION PRIORITY PRIORITIES FOR THE ISSUE LIST 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

• Funding for University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (Revenue Protection of agriculture sales tax Funding for UA Division of Agriculture Stabilization Act) exemptions The governor added $1.1 million in – Governor committed $1.1 million to After thorough review of Arkansas base funding for the University of Arkan- the base. We are asking for more in tax code, the legislature confirmed the sas Division of Agriculture, a victory over the base. Approximately 40 legislators continued need for agriculture sales tax previous sessions when it was all “one- have signed a letter requesting more exemptions. The taskforce made one rec- time” money. The Division will receive ommendation regarding an agriculture- $3 million total above their previous base base funding. related exemption concerning the abuse but $1.9 million will be one-time funds. of the ATV exemption for farm use. Many legislators remain staunch sup- • Advocate for our policy in regards to the President Pro Tempore Jim Hendren filed porters of the Division of Agriculture proposed government reorganization SB 561, now Act 819, making various and many signed onto a letter requesting (HB 1763). changes to the state’s tax code. It places more base funding. administration of the franchise tax with HB 1763 the Department of Finance and Adminis- Highway Funding HOUSE VOTE 3/14/2019 tration rather than the Secretary of State. Gov. Asa Hutchison’s proposed plan It would also require the department to will add approximately $300 million in report before each regular session to the state dollars to the highway budget an- Nays: 0 Legislative Council and the governor on nually. An independent audit, requested the effect of each exemption, discount, by legislators and conducted by Arkansas Yeas: 82 credit, and deduction relating to state Legislative Audit, said $478 million an- Barker, Beck, Bentley, Berry, Blake, Boyd, income, sales, and use tax. The act in- nually is needed to maintain and allow Bragg, Breaux, Brown, Burch, Capp, cludes new procedures for the agriculture construction for growth of Arkansas Cavenaugh, Christiansen, Cloud, Clowney, exemption for all-terrain vehicles. Buyers infrastructure. Arkansas has 765 bridges Coleman, A. Collins, C. Cooper, Cozart, who want to claim the exemption must that are considered structurally deficient. Crawford, Dalby, A. Davis, Deffenbaugh, submit more information at the time of Of Arkansas’ 102,000 miles of roads and Della Rosa, Dotson, D. Douglas, Eaves, purchase to receive the exemption. only 22,000 miles are eligible for federal Evans, D. Ferguson, K. Ferguson, Fielding, C. Fite, L. Fite, V. Flowers, Fortner, D. Garner, Gates, Gazaway, Glover, Godfrey, M. Gray, Hawks, Hillman, G. Hodges, M. Hodges, Holcomb, Hollowell, House, Jett, L. John- son, Kelly, Love, Lowery, Lundstrum, Lynch, Maddox, J. Mayberry, McCullough, McKen- zie, McNair, Murdock, Nicks, Perry, Petty, Pilkington, Richardson, Richey, Richmond, Scott, B. Smith, S. Smith, Speaks, Sullivan, Tosh, Vaught, Walker, Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, D. Whitaker, Wing, Mr. Speaker

Non Voting: 8 F. Allen, M. Davis, Eubanks, Ladyman, Magie, S. Meeks, Rushing, Wooten,

Present: 10 Gonzales, Jean, McCollum, Miller, Payton, Penzo, Rye, Slape, Sorvillo, Womack

4 aid. Ninety percent of Arkansans feel our the Arkansas Rice Research and Promo- • Support the transfer of regulatory roads need repair, and 89 percent believe tion Board for fiscal 2019-20 operations. authority of agriculture non-point source the work of improving roads is good for pollution to Arkansas Natural Resources job creation. Truth in Labeling Commission (SB 550) HJR 1018 refers to the Novem- Rep. David Hillman’s truth in la- – SB 550 passed the Senate 25-5. The ber 2020 ballot an extension of the ½ beling bill, HB 1407, is now Act 501. House Agriculture Committee sent the cent sales tax for highway funding that The bill creates a fine for mislabeling of bill to internal study. Gov. Hutchinson citizens are already paying. The tax will agricultural products. The fine is $1,000 generate approximately $200 million an- per violation for misbranding or misrep- issued a statement saying “I am con- nually. The funds are committed to bond resenting an agricultural product that is fident in the current process at ADEQ, indebtedness until 2023 but if HJR 1018 edible by humans, including: affixing a and I continue to have reservations passes, the money will convert to regular label that is false or misleading or selling with regard to SB550 and the transfer highway funds after the bonds expire. the agricultural product under the name of Regulation 5 permitting author- The legislature also adopted SB 336, of another food. The bill includes specifi- ity from the ADEQ to the Arkansas now Act 416. The act levies an indexed cally inaccurate labeling of meat products Natural Resource Commission (ANRC). wholesale tax on motor fuel and diesel and rice. Sen. Bruce Maloch also passed I will continue to monitor this legisla- and places revenue from that and other SB 563, now Act 741, which allows the tion closely.” sources in the State Highway Fund for Department of Agriculture to draft regu- maintenance of streets, highways and lations for food labeling. bridges. The tax does not apply to off SB 550 road diesel. It also adds annual fees of Advocate for our policy in regards to SENATE VOTES $100 and $200, respectively, to hybrid the proposed government reorgani- Yeas: 25 and electric vehicle registration and zation B. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Caldwell, A. Clark, transfers casino tax revenues in excess of Rep. Andy Davis and Sen. Bart Hes- J. Cooper, B. Davis, J. Dismang, L. Eads ,J. $31 million annually with a minimum of ter were the lead sponsors of HB 1763, English, Flippo, S. Flowers, T. Garner, K. $35 million to the State Highway Fund. now Act 910. The bill is the compre- Hammer, J. Hendren, Hester ,Hickey Hill, Farm Bureau supported both bills. hensive transformation of state govern- B. Johnson, Maloch, M. Pitsch, Rice, B. ment. The governor and his staff were Sample, G. Stubblefield, J. Sturch, Teague Preserve the structure and purpose the architects of the plan with the goal of of the commodity promotion and improved efficiency. The act consolidated research programs state agencies from 42 to 15. Those cabi- Nays: 5 Arkansas Farm Bureau has strong net level agencies are: Bond, Elliott, K. Ingram, M. Johnson, G. policy in support of maintaining the (1) The Department of Agriculture; Leding structure and purpose of the commodity (2) The Department of Commerce; promotion and research programs in- (3) The Department of Corrections; Non Voting: 2 cluding the public-private partnership of (4) The Department of Education; Irvin, D. Wallace administration. The governor committed (5) The Department of Energy and early in the transformation process that Environment; Present: 3 the promotion and research programs (6) The Department of Finance and E. Cheatham, L. Chesterfield, Rapert would not be part of the transformation Administration; plan. The appropriations for those pro- (7) The Department of Health; grams have all been signed by the gover- (8) The Department of Human Excused: 0 nor and are now Acts. Services; SB 29, now Act 14, appropriates (9) The Department of the Inspec- • Reorganize the membership of the $1,067,076 to the Arkansas Beef Council tor General; Livestock & Poultry Commission with for fiscal 2019-20 operations. (10) The Department of Labor and more industry and farmer representation SB 30, now Act 15, appropriates Licensing; (SB 536) $120,000 to the Arkansas Catfish Promo- (11) The Department of the Military; – The bill was not considered. tion Board for fiscal 2019-20 operations. (12) The Department of Parks, Heri- HB 1055, now Act 37, appropriates tage, and Tourism; $444,494 to the Arkansas Wheat Promo- (13) The Department of Public • Support for a highway maintenance tion Board for fiscal 2019-20 operations. Safety; program (SB 336 and HJR 1018) HB 1056, now Act 38, appropriates (14) The Department of Transforma- – Now Act 416 which adds $97 million $8,300,000 to the Arkansas Soybean Pro- tion and Shared Services; and to highway funding via fuel tax, motion Board for fiscal 2019-20 opera- (15) The Department of Veterans hybrid fees and casino revenues. HJR tions. Affairs 1018 was adopted and be referred HB 1058, now Act 40, appropri- After review, Arkansas Farm Bu- to the 2020 ballot. It proposes to ates $6,980,696 from the Arkansas Rice reau supported the bill and subsequent continue the current ½ cent sales tax Research and Promotion Fund and amendments. The Department of Agri- for highway funding. That would be $15,000,000 from Tariff Rate Quota to culture will include the following boards about $200 million annually. continues 5 SB 336 and commissions: The Abandoned could not be appointed as the director of SENATE VOTE 2/21/2019 Pesticide Advisory Board, The Arkansas the plant board. The secretary of agri- Yeas: 27 Agriculture Board, The Arkansas Bureau culture will appoint the seed arbitration Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, E. Cheatham, of Standards, The Arkansas Boll Weevil committee but the organizations with L. Chesterfield, J. Cooper, L. Eads, Elliott, Eradication Committee, The Arkansas recommendation responsibilities will J. English, Flippo,S. Flowers, J. Hendren, Farm Mediation Office, The Arkansas retain those. The deputy director of the Fire Ant Advisory Board, The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission will Hickey, K. Ingram, Irvin, B. Johnson, M. Forestry Commission, The Arkansas be restored to a director position. That Johnson, G. Leding, Maloch, M. Pitsch, Livestock and Poultry Commission, The director will be appointed by the gover- Rapert, Rice, B. Sample, G. Stubblefield, J. Arkansas Milk Stabilization Board, The nor in consultation with the secretary Sturch, Teague, D. Wallace Arkansas Natural Resources Commis- of agriculture. This adjustment mirrors sion, The Arkansas Seed Arbitration the law prior to 2017. The secretary of Nays: 8 Committee, The Arkansas State Board of agriculture shall employ the state veteri- B. Ballinger, A. Clark, B. Davis, J. Dismang, Registration for Foresters, The Arkansas narian. The Department of Agriculture T. Garner, K. Hammer, Hester, Hill State Board of Registration for Profes- may assign additional laboratory duties sional Soil Classifiers, The Arkansas and functions to the veterinary diagnos- Non Voting: 0 Unpaved Road Program, The Commis- tic lab but those additional duties will not sion on Water Well Construction, The be funded by special revenues and will be Litter Utilization Committee, The Private funded by the department. The Unpaved Present: 0 Wetland and Riparian Zone Creation, Roads Program will be moved under the Restoration, and Conservation Commit- Natural Resources Commission. The state Excused: 0 tee, The Ouachita River Commission, The forester will be employed by the Forestry Red River Compact Commission, The Commission with the approval of the HOUSE VOTE 3/4/2019 State Plant Board, The Veterinary Medi- governor and shall serve at the pleasure Yeas: 71 cal Examining Board, and The Wetlands of the governor. The act does not alter F. Allen, Barker, Bentley, Blake, Boyd, Technical Advisory Committee. the administration or purpose of the Bragg, Breaux , Brown, Burch, Capp, The name of the Arkansas Agricul- promotion and research boards The act ture Department was changed to the becomes effective July 1, 2019 and initial Christiansen, Cloud, Clowney, Coleman, A. Department of Agriculture and will be agency heads will be named prior to that Collins, Cozart, Crawford, Dalby, A. Davis, a cabinet-level department. The Depart- date. Deffenbaugh, Della Rosa, D. Douglas, ment of Agriculture will assume person- Eubanks, Evans, D. Ferguson, K. Ferguson, nel, administrative functions, human Right-to-Farm Real Estate Disclosure Fielding, C. Fite, L. Fite, V. Flowers, Fortner, resources and accounting offices of all Sen. Matt Pitsch, Rep. DeAnn Vaught D. Garner, Gazaway, Glover, Godfrey, the transferring agencies. The secretary successfully supported SB 408, now Act Hawks, Hillman, M. Hodges, Holcomb, Hol- of agriculture will determine job de- 515. The act requires a closing agent to lowell, House, Jean, Jett, L. Johnson, Kelly, scriptions, duties, salaries and benefits. include notice of Arkansas’ Right-to- Ladyman, Love, Lynch, Magie, McCullough, All programs and positions funded by Farm law in all real estate transactions. McKenzie, McNair, Murdock, Nicks, Perry, special funds shall continue to be used The act will raise awareness of the right to for designated purposes. “Administrative farm and the protection that is conveyed Richardson, Richey, Richmond, Rushing, functions” does not include rule making via the law. Rye, Scott, B. Smith, S. Smith, Sorvillo, and those will be reserved to the current Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, D. Whitaker, rule-making bodies. Transferred entities Support the transfer of regulatory Wing, Wooten, Mr. Speaker shall continue to exercise their statutory authority of agriculture non-point authority including collection of fees and source pollution to Arkansas Nays: 26 promulgation of rules. The department Department of Natural Resources Beck, Berry, C. Cooper, M. Davis, Dotson, shall provide all support, employment Sen. Gary Stubblefield and Rep. Eaves, Gates, Gonzales, G. Hodges, Lowery, needs and staff to carry out the rules Mary Bentley’s SB 550 to transfer the Lundstrum, Maddox, J. Mayberry, McCol- promulgated or issued by the transferred regulatory authority of non-point source lum, S. Meeks, Miller, Payton, Penzo, Petty, entities. All revenue shall continue to be pollution from Arkansas Department of held in the accounts and be used solely Environment Quality to Arkansas Pilkington, Slape, Speaks, Sullivan, Tosh, for the purposes for which the revenue Department of Natural Resources has Vaught, Womack was collected. Real property will remain been referred to interim study by the in the name of the transferred entity to be House Agriculture, Forestry and Eco- Non Voting: 1 administered by the Department of Ag- nomic Committee. Although the bill Walker riculture. The director of the State Plant was heavily opposed by certain environ- Board will be appointed by the board mental groups, Central Arkansas Water, Present: 2 with the approval of the governor and Beaver Water District, Entergy and the Cavenaugh, M. Gray shall serve at the pleasure the governor. governor, Sen. Stubblefield was successful This is current law. A later amendment in passing the bill out of the Senate. On clarified that the secretary of agriculture the House side, it became evident that the

6 bill lacked the votes to advance out of the that do not substantially impact the use SENATE VOTE 3/5/2019 committee. Rep. Mary Bentley made the of the machinery will not trigger the act. Yeas: 25 motion to refer the bill to interim study The act applies to self-propelled farm Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, E. Cheatham, so the committee can review the process machinery purchased after Jan. 1, 2020. L. Chesterfield, J. Cooper, L. Eads, Elliott, of other states where similar permits Flippo, S. Flowers, J. Hendren, Hickey, K. Reorganize the membership of the are administered by the Department of Ingram, B. Johnson, M. Johnson, G. Leding, Agriculture. Livestock & Poultry Commission with more industry and farmer Maloch, M. Pitsch, Rapert, Rice, B. Sample, New Farm Machinery Quality representation G. Stubblefield, J. Sturch, Teague, D. Wal- Assurance Act Sen. Bruce Maloch’s SB 536 to make lace Sen. Blake Johnson and Rep. Marcus the majority of the seats on the Livestock Richmond were lead sponsors on SB and Poultry Commission active produc- Nays: 8 450, now Act 588, to create the New ers lacked momentum to advance this B. Ballinger, A. Clark, B. Davis, J. Dismang, Farm Machinery Quality Assurance Act, session. T. Garner, K. Hammer, Hester, Hill commonly known as a “lemon law.” The act gives farmers the right to a refund or Non Voting: 2 replacement equipment if a new piece of J. English, Irvin farm machinery is repaired three or more SESSION times for the same issue (or five times for different issues) or 30 days of “out” time HIGHLIGHTS Present: 0 in the first 12 months or 600 hours from delivery. The act does not apply to equip- Gov. Asa Hutchinson established his Excused: 0 ment under 25-horse power, lawn mow- agenda early in the session frequently ers or ATVs. Dealers are responsible for saying he wanted to address four T’s: HJR 1018 HOUSE VOTE 3/4/2019 Yeas: 67 F. Allen, Barker, Boyd, Bragg, Brown, Burch, Capp, Christiansen, Cloud, Clowney, Cole- man, A. Collins, C. Cooper, Cozart, Crawford, Dalby, A. Davis, Della Rosa, D. Douglas, Eubanks, Evans, D. Ferguson, K. Ferguson, Fielding, C. Fite, L. Fite, V. Flowers, Fortner, D. Garner, Gazaway, Glover, Godfrey, M. Gray, Hawks, Hillman, M. Hodges, Holcomb, House, Jett, L. Johnson, Kelly, Ladyman, Love, Lynch, Magie, McCullough, McNair, Murdock, Nicks, Perry, Richardson, Richey, Richmond, Rye, Scott, Slape, B. Smith, S. Smith, Tosh, Vaught, Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, D. Whitaker, Wing, Woo- ten, Mr. Speaker

Nays: 30 Beck, Bentley, Berry, Breaux, Cavenaugh, M. Davis, Deffenbaugh, Dotson, Eaves, Gates, Gonzales, G. Hodges, Jean, Lowery, Lundstrum, Maddox, J. Mayberry, McCol- notifying buyers at the time of purchase Transformation of Government, Tax of the law and their rights under the law. Reform, Transportation and Teacher lum, McKenzie, S. Meeks, Miller, Payton, SB 450 incentivizes dealers to provide Pay. Transformation and transportation Penzo, Petty, Pilkington, Sorvillo, Speaks, replacement equipment during repair both coincided with priorities of Arkan- Sullivan, Walker, Womack time because days of “out time” do not sas Farm Bureau. The legislature passed count if replacement equipment is pro- legislation addressing both. The General Non Voting: 2 vided. Buyers are responsible for notify- Assembly also adopted a modest increase Blake, Rushing ing appropriate dealers or manufacturers in pay for beginning teachers via HB using certified mail when seeking remedy 1145 (Act 170), raising the minimum to Present: 1 under the law. Damage caused by abuse, $36,000 by 2022-23 with a budget impact Hollowell neglect, accidents or nonconformities of $60 million. continues 7 SENATE VOTE 3/7/2019 Tax Reform on the first $22,500 of income which is Yeas: 25 The General Assembly adopted mul- reported by upper income taxpayers. This Bond, Caldwell, E. Cheatham, L. Ches- tiple measures of tax reform during the increased income offsets the total cost of terfield, A. Clark, J. Cooper, B. Davis, J. 2019 session. The major reform measures the plan. Taxpayers with at least $38,200 Dismang, L. Eads, Elliott, J. English, S. were done in SB 211, SB 447, SB 561 and in taxable income will receive a tax cut. Flowers, J. Hendren, Hickey, Hill, K. Ingram, SB 576. The current top rate of 6.9 percent applies At beginning of the session, Gov. to people with at least $79,300 a year in B. Johnson, M. Johnson, Maloch, M. Pitsch, Asa Hutchinson, supported by legisla- 2018 taxable income. Under the new law, Rapert ,Rice, J. Sturch, Teague, D. Wallace tive leadership, advocated for SB 211 the 5.9 percent rate would apply to those (Act 182) to reduce the rate on the state’s making at least $80,500 a year. Nays: 7 top income earners. The new plan will The state also reduced the state’s B. Ballinger, Flippo, T. Garner, K. Hammer, be phased in over two years. The first corporate income tax and applied the Hester, Irvin, G. Stubblefield year, beginning Jan. 1, 2020, will see the internet sales tax via SB 576 now Act traditional, six-rate upper income bracket 822. It amends Arkansas tax laws regard- Non Voting: 3 eliminated and replaced with a four- ing various provisions for the filing on Bledsoe, G. Leding, B. Sample rate bracket of 2 percent, 4 percent, 5.9 income taxes by corporations; state and percent and 6.6 percent. In the proposed local sales and use taxes on remote seller plan, the state will consolidate brackets tax collection requirements; and sales Present: 0 and reduce the top marginal tax rate from tax requirements on car washes. The act 6.9 percent to 6.6 percent. Also reducing provides specific amending provisions for Excused: 0 the top marginal tax rate in the middle- the following: income bracket from 6 percent to 5.9 per- • Reduce the state’s top corporate • Establish new food labeling laws/regula- cent. The fiscal impact of this phase will income tax rate from 6.5 percent to tions (HB 1407 and SB 563) be $51.2 million. This cost will be split 6.2 percent for income exceeding – HB 1407 is now Act 501. It creates between two state fiscal years, with $25.6 $100,000 for tax years starting on or a law regarding mislabeling of food million cuts in FY2020 and FY2021. The after Jan. 1, 2021, and to 5.9 percent products. SB 563 allows the Depart- second year, beginning Jan. 1, 2021, will for income exceeding $25,000 for reduce the top marginal tax rate from 6.6 tax years beginning on or after Jan. ment of Agriculture to establish food labeling rules.

HB1407 HOUSE VOTE 3/4/2019 Yeas: 87 Barker, Beck, Bentley, Berry, Boyd, Bragg, Breaux, Brown, Burch, Capp, Cavenaugh, Christiansen, Cloud, Clowney, Coleman, A. Collins, C. Cooper, Cozart, Crawford, Dalby, A. Davis, M. Davis, Deffenbaugh, Della Rosa, D. Douglas, Eaves, Eubanks, Evans, D. Ferguson, Fielding, C. Fite, L. Fite, Fortner, D. Garner, Gates, Gazaway, Glover, Gonzales, M. Gray, Hawks, Hillman, G. Hodges, M. Hodges, Holcomb, Hollowell, House, Jean, Jett, Kelly, Ladyman, Love, Lowery, Lundstrum, Lynch, Maddox, Magie,J. Mayberry, McCullough, McKenzie, McNair, Miller, Murdock, Nicks, Payton, Penzo ,Perry, Petty, Pilkington, Richey, Richmond, Rushing, Rye, Scott, Slape, B. Smith, S. Smith, Sorvillo, Speaks, Sullivan, Tosh, Vaught, Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, percent to 5.9 percent. The fiscal impact 1, 2022. Phase in an extension of Wing, Womack, Wooten of this second phase will be $45.8 mil- net operating loss carry-forward lion. The impact will be spread across two periods ($70 million revenue loss Nays: 4 fiscal years, FY2021 and FY2022. When when fully implemented in 2032); Dotson, Godfrey, McCollum, D. Whitaker fully implemented, the budget impact • Requires the collection of sales and will be $97 million. The 2-4-5.9 plan will use tax by remote sellers and mar- impose marginally higher rates of tax ketplace facilitators (internet sales

8 tax – $35 million revenue gain); HB 1980 now Act 1071 passed late Non Voting: 9 • Change the state’s sales and tour- in the session to equalize the tax for F. Allen, Blake, K. Ferguson, V. Flowers, L. ism tax provisions to provide that e-cigarettes. The tax adjustment was Johnson, S. Meeks, Richardson, Walker, Mr. “accommodations intermediaries” originally paired with an Earned Income Speaker (companies like Air B and B and Tax Credit. When that bill stalled in the Vacation Rental by Owner) would House Revenue and Taxation, HB 1980 Present: 0 be required to collect and remit (Act 1071) was introduced to address the Arkansas taxes when furnishing an e-cigarette tax. accommodation in the state. SENATE VOTE on HB1407 3/13/2019 • Provide a sales tax exemption for Yeas: 31 certain providers of carwash ser- CONSTITUTIONAL Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, E. Cheatham, L. vices; Chesterfield, A. Clark, J. Cooper, • Exempts from sales tax all purchas- AMENDMENTS J. Dismang, L. Eads, Elliott, J. English, es by car wash operators; and Flippo, S. Flowers, K. Hammer, Hester, • Levies new annual fees on certain The General Assembly referred three Hickey, Hill, K. Ingram, Irvin, B. Johnson, M. car wash operators and monthly items to the voters for the 2020 ballot. Johnson, G. Leding, Maloch, M. Pitsch, water usage fees on operators of car The first was issue was the highway fund- Rapert, Rice, B. Sample, G. Stubblefield, J. wash tunnels. ing measure including in the Arkansas Sturch, Teague, D. Wallace SB 447, now Act 808, increases the Farm Bureau priority list. The other two Homestead Tax Credit to $375. Act 808 are yet another proposed change to Ar- diverts $8.2 million from the property kansas’ term limit law for state senators Nays: 3 tax relief trust fund to the county voting and representatives and ballot initiative B. Ballinger, B. Davis, T. Garner systems grant fund. It shifts other excess reform. money from the trust fund to the state’s Non Voting: 1 long-term reserve fund. The finance Term Limits J. Hendren department projects transfers of $24.5 Legislators hope offering a voluntary million to the long-term reserve fund in reduction in years of service will stall Present: 0 2020 and then $29.4 million in 2021. efforts for a ballot initiative on the issue. SB 561 now Act 819: A ballot initiative proposed in the last • Transfers the administration and election cycle would have termed more Excused: 0 collection of the state’s franchise tax than 60 percent of the current General from the secretary of state’s office Assembly. (Farm Bureau was part of a SB 563 to the Department of Finance and coalition that successfully challenged SENATE VOTE 3/20/2019 Administration, effective May 1, that ballot issue and removed it from Yeas: 33 2021. Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, E. Cheatham, L. • Requires the Assessment Coordina- Chesterfield, A. Clark, J. Cooper, B. Davis, J. tion Department to adopt manda- Dismang, L. Eads, Elliott, J. English, Flippo, tory guidelines to be followed by S. Flowers, K. Hammer, J. Hendren, Hester, county assessors to identify prop- Hickey, Hill, K. Ingram, Irvin, B. Johnson, erty exempt from property taxes and for assessing business inven- M. Johnson, G. Leding, Maloch, M. Pitsch, tory. The department would report Rapert, Rice, B. Sample, G. Stubblefield, J. noncompliance by counties to the Sturch, Teague, D. Wallace, Legislature. • Requires the finance department Nays: 2 to report to the Legislative Coun- B. Ballinger, T. Garner cil and the governor before each regular legislative session on the Non Voting: 0 effect of each income and sales tax exemption, discount, credit and deduction. Present: 0 • Provides a sales-tax exemption for advertising space on a public transit Excused: 0 bus, effective Oct. 1. • Requires more information on all- HOUSE VOTE 3/28/2019 terrain vehicles to ensure that they Yeas: 93 are eligible for the farm machinery F. Allen, Barker, Bentley, Berry, Blake, and equipment sales tax exemption Boyd, Bragg, Breaux, Brown, Burch, Capp, at the time of purchase, effective Cavenaugh, Christiansen, Cloud, Clowney, Oct. 1. Coleman, A. Collins, C. Cooper, continues 9 Cozart, Crawford, Dalby, A. Davis, M. Davis, the ballot.) SJR 15 would limit legisla- Sen. Larry Teague and Rep. Deffenbaugh, Della Rosa, D. Douglas, tors elected on or after Jan. 1, 2021, to 12 also passed companion bills for spending Eaves, Eubanks, Evans, D. Ferguson, K. years in the Legislature, with the ability to from the state’s “rainy day fund,” includ- Ferguson, Fielding, C. Fite, L. Fite,V. Flow- return after a four-year break. Two-year ing $10.5 million for corrections facili- ers, Fortner, D. Garner, Gates, Gazaway, terms served as a result of apportionment ties, $30 million for the Quick Action Glover ,Godfrey, M. Gray, Hawks, Hillman, would count in the total. Partial terms Closing Fund, $1.8 million for the U of served after a special election would not A Division of Agriculture (as mentioned G. Hodges, M. Hodges, Holcomb, Hol- be included. This proposal is virtually before), $1.8 million for the Succeed lowell, House, Jean, Jett, L. Johnson, identical to Farm Bureau policy: Govern- Scholarship, $500,000 for the State Kelly, Ladyman, Love, Lundstrum, Lynch, ment 157:25: “We recommend increasing Military Department – Youth Challenge Maddox, Magie, J. Mayberry, McCollum, the time of maximum service to at least Program, $10 million for the University McCullough, McKenzie, McNair, S. Meeks, 12 years in the House of Representatives of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Na- Miller, Murdock, Nicks, Penzo, Perry, Petty, and in the Senate, and allowing a legisla- tional Cancer Institute Designation Trust Pilkington, Richardson, Richey, Richmond, tor who has served his maximum time Fund. In Arkansas, expenditures of state Rushing, Rye, Scott, Slape, B. Smith, S. to stand for reelection after a four‐year dollars require the adoption of an appro- Smith, Sorvillo, Speaks, Sullivan, Tosh, absence.” priation bill. Appropriation bills repre- Vaught, Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, D. The final ballot referral would reform sent the authority to spend funds not the ballot initiative process. HJR 1008 always actual funds themselves. The RSA Whitaker, Wing, Womack, Wooten would continue to allow citizen initiatives delegates most actual dollars. So-called but would make the process more strin- “cash agencies or funds” like the com- Nays: 1 gent. It would repeal the 30-day signature modity promotion and research boards Dotson cure period, move the filing deadline are funded via special revenues. Those for initiatives and signatures to Jan. 15 appropriations represent close estimates Non Voting: 6 and set a deadline to file legal challenges of funds that will be available for the Beck, Gonzales, Lowery, Payton, Walker, on April 15, both dates in the General agency. Mr. Speaker Election year. If voters approve, it will increase the number of counties from which a set number of signatures are Present: 0 OTHER required from 15 counties to three-fifths of the counties (45 of 75). HJR 1008 also State Plant Board • Strengthen Right to Farm law (SB 408) would increase the vote majority required Rep. David Hillman’s HB 1512, now – SB 408 to require disclosure of the by the legislature to make amendment Act 423, changes the definition of “egre- state’s right to farm law in real estate referrals from a simple majority to a gious violations” for the purposes of ap- transactions is now Act 515. three-fifths (60%) majority. It has become plying the State Plant Board’s maximum increasingly easy for public referrals to fine. The State Plant Board can now fine SB 408 get on the ballot if they have big money applicators if they intentionally violate SENATE VOTE 3/12/2019 backers. In recent elections, Arkansans federal label requirements or a state law have voted on casinos, medical marijua- or rule when using Dicamba or herbicide na, statewide alcohol sales and minimum containing auxin. Act 423 has an emer- Yeas: 33 wage increases. gency clause so the bill was effective as of B. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Caldwell, E. Cheath- March 11, 2019. am, L. Chesterfield, A. Clark, J. Cooper, B. Revenue Stabilization Act Rep. David Hillman’s HB 1854, now Davis, J. Dismang, L. Eads ,Elliott, J. English, The state’s general revenue budget Act 1056, updates three of the State Plant Flippo, S. Flowers, T. Garner, K. Hammer, J. will increase by $124.1 million to $5.75 Board appointments. The act will allow Hendren, Hester, Hill, K. Ingram, Irvin, B. billion in the fiscal year starting July the Vice President for Agriculture of the Johnson, M. Johnson, G. Leding, Maloch, 1, 2019 under the Revenue Stabiliza- University of Arkansas to appoint two M. Pitsch, Rapert, Rice, B. Sample, G. tion Act (RSA) adopted by the General non-voting members for expertise. Those Stubblefield, J. Sturch, Teague, D. Wallace Assembly. The budget divides projected two non-voting members previously general revenue into A, B and C catego- represented the head of the Entomology ries, with $5.61 billion going to Category Department and head of the Department Nays: 2 A, $115.6 million to Category B and of Plant Pathology. Those departments Bond, Hickey $14.7 million to Category C. Category have merged so Act 1056 allows the uni- A is usually fully funded. Catergories B versity to add another member for more Non Voting: 0 and C are funded as revenue collections technical expertise. The act also replaces allow. As always, the bulk of state fund- the representative (a feed manufacturer) Present: 0 ing goes to fund certain major categories: from the Arkansas Feed Manufacturers education, higher education, corrections, Association with one member represent- Excused: 0 and health. The Department of Human ing the Arkansas Bureau of Standards to Services got the largest increase with a be appointed by the Arkansas Oil Mar- $68 million bump. Budget Chairmen keters Association.

10 Farm-To-School Program in the 2017 session. The act allows the HOUSE VOTE 3/14/2019 Rep. Mary Bentley and Sen. Gary Livestock and Poultry Commission to Yeas: 86 Stubblefield passed HB 1615, now Act establish permits for aerial depopulation. Barker, Beck, Bentley, Berry, Boyd, Bragg, 506, establishing a stronger farm-to- It also creates exceptions for transpor- Breaux, Brown, Burch, Capp, Cavenaugh, school program. The bill creates a full- tation and release of tracked hogs for Christiansen, Cloud, Clowney, Coleman, time coordinator for the program housed certain government researchers. The act C. Cooper, Cozart , Crawford, Dalby, A. at the Department of Agriculture. The expands the citation authority to more Davis, Deffenbaugh, Della Rosa, Dotson, coordinator will work to create better law enforcement officers. It creates a Feral connections between schools and farmers Hog Eradication Fund supported by fines D. Douglas, Eaves, Evans, D. Ferguson, C. so schools can procure food from local collected for feral hog-related violations. Fite, L. Fite, V. Flowers, Fortner, D. Garner, farmers. The coordinator will also work The fund will be used for eradication ef- Gates, Gazaway, Glover, Godfrey, Gonzales, to establish more agriculture and nutri- forts. M. Gray, Hillman, G. Hodges, M. Hodges, tion education in schools. Arkansas is the Sen. Hammer also passed SB 459 Holcomb, Hollowell, House, Jean, L. only state that does not have a farm-to- appropriating $3 million to the Feral Hog Johnson, Kelly, Ladyman, Love, Lowery, school coordinator. Farm Bureau policy Eradication Fund in the Arkansas Natu- Lundstrum, Lynch, Maddox, Magie, J. May- supports the farm-to-school program ral Resources Commission for eradica- berry, McCollum, McCullough, McKenzie, being administered by the Department tion efforts. It will be funded from fines. McNair, S. Meeks, Miller, Nicks, Payton, of Agriculture. Our policy also includes Penzo, Perry, Petty, Pilkington, Richardson, numerous statements encouraging the Solar Power education of children about agriculture Sen. Dave Wallace passed SB 145, Richmond, Rushing, Rye, Scott, Slape, B. and nutrition. Rep. Bentley also worked now Act 464, the solar power net me- Smith, S. Smith, Sorvillo, Speaks, Sullivan, with the Department of Agriculture and tering bill. The legislation will enable Tosh, Vaught, Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, D. the governor to fund the position. third-party financing for those seeking Whitaker, Wing, Womack Rep. Rick Beck and Sen. Matt Pitsch to deploy solar. This financing tool is updated the state’s law on local food pro- particularly important for tax exempt Nays: 0 curement for state agencies via HB 1853, entities, such as schools, churches, cities now Act 796. and counties, colleges and universities, Non Voting: 13 F. Allen, Blake, A. Collins, M. Davis, Eu- banks, K. Ferguson, Fielding, Jett, Murdock, Richey, Walker, Wooten, Mr. Speaker

Present: 1 Hawks

• Expand the state’s “lemon law” to include motorized farm equipment (SB 450)

SB 450 SENATE VOTE 3/14/2019 Yeas: 31 B. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Caldwell, E. Cheatham, L. Chesterfield, A. Clark, J. Cooper, B. Davis, J. Dismang, L. Eads, Elliott, J. English, Flippo, T. Garner, K. Hammer, J. Hendren, Hester, Hickey, Hill, K. Ingram, Irvin, B. Johnson, G. Leding, M. Pitsch, Rapert, Rice, B. Sample, G. Stubblefield, J. Sturch, Teague, D. Wallace

Nays: 1 Bond

Feral Hogs state agencies, and non-profit organiza- Non Voting: 2 Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Ken tions. Additionally, Act 464 increases S. Flowers, Maloch Bragg’s SB 460, now Act 991, amends the solar array size limit for commercial the state’s feral hog law. The act is based and industrial net-metering customers Present: 1 on the work of the task force established from 300 kilowatts to 1,000 kilowatts. M. Johnson continues 11 Excused: 0 The measure also adds a “grandfathering” public safety connectivity charge of $2.25. provision to provide market certainty for The public safety connectivity charge will HOUSE VOTE: 3/26/2019 customers. generate $38 million in new funding to Yeas: 84 support the transformation of the 911 Barker, Bentley, Berry, Blake, Boyd, Bragg, Public Safety Act of 2019 network ($18 million); to expand and Breaux, Brown, Burch, Capp, Cavenaugh, HB 1564 sponsored by Rep. Michelle maintain the state’s broadband infra- Gray and Sen. Jason Rapert is now Act structure, assisting in the shift of 911 to Christiansen, Cloud, Clowney, Coleman, C. 660, The Arkansas Public Safety Act of Next Generation 911 ($8 million); and to Cooper, Cozart, Crawford, Dalby, M. Davis, 2019. The comprehensive act will trans- fund upgrades and maintenance for the Della Rosa, D. Douglas, Eubanks, Evans, D. form the state’s 911 system. It will shift Arkansas Wireless Information Network Ferguson, K. Ferguson, C. Fite, L. Fite, V. the network from the current analog (AWIN), which is the statewide public Flowers, Fortner, D. Garner, Gates, Gaza- system to an internet protocol (IP)-based safety communication system for Arkan- way, Glover, Godfrey, Gonzales, M. Gray network that will allow for interoper- sas’ first responders ($12 million). Hawks, Hillman, G. Hodges, M. Hodges, ability among all Public Safety Answer- Holcomb, Hollowell, House, L. Johnson, ing Points (PSAPs). A new protocol will Freedom of Information Kelly, Ladyman, Love, Lowery, Lundstrum, allow callers to use wireless and IP-based SB 231 by Sen. Kim Hammer was Lynch, Maddox, J. Mayberry, McCullough, devices to call 911 and transmit text, reviewed in the Senate State Agencies images, video, and data. These changes Committee. The bill expands the state’s McKenzie, McNair, S. Meeks, Murdock, Nicks, Penzo, Perry, Petty, Pilkington, Richardson, Richey, Richmond, Rushing, Rye, Scott, Slape, B. Smith, S. Smith, Sorvillo, Speaks, Sullivan, Tosh, Vaught, Walker, Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, D. Whitaker, Wing, Wooten

Nays: 3 Dotson, McCollum, Womack

Non Voting: 12 F. Allen, Beck, A. Collins, A. Davis, Def- fenbaugh, Eaves, Jean, Jett, Magie, Miller, Payton, Mr. Speaker

Present: 1 Fielding

• Preserve the structure and purpose of the commodity promotion and research programs (All Research and Promotion Appropriations are now Acts)

• Protection of agriculture sales tax exemp- tions – The appointed legislative taskforce reviewed tax exemptions and essentially agreed that all were ap- propriate. The taskforce tweaked the will make the network faster and more Freedom-of-Information to include process for the ATV exemption for ag- accurate. The act will reduce the number private entities that provide support to riculture. SB 561 includes language of PSAPs in Arkansas. Consolidation of public entities. The bill failed for lack of concerning that exemption and will PSAPs will reduce the number of times a a motion. Farm Bureau opposed how require more front end paperwork but caller is transferred and create cost sav- broadly the bill applied the FOI law. keep the exemption. SB 564 is now ings and efficiencies. The Arkansas Public Act 819. Safety Act will repeal three fees: local 911 Equine Infectious Anemia tariffs, the Arkansas universal service SB 405 by Sen. Stubblefield to roll charge, and the emergency telephone back the requirement for an equine infec- service charge but establish a uniform tious anemia verifier at events passed

12 the Senate but was stopped in the House vehicles for use in commercial forestry SB 561 Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Devel- purchased by persons who are primarily SENATE VOTE: 3/20/2019 opment Committee. The bill would have engaged in the commercial production of Yeas: 32 made the current law on verifiers volun- timber. The bill passed the Senate but was B. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, E. tary. Farm Bureau opposed the bill. never heard in the House committee. Cheatham, L. Chesterfield, A. Clark, J. Cooper, B. Davis, J. Dismang, L. Eads, Elliott, Heavy Weight Permit Waste Districts J. English, S. Flowers, T. Garner, K. Hammer, Rep. Hillman also filed HB 1855, Sen. Scott Flippo filed SB 599, now now Act 859, which clarifies that the Act 891, to require the approval of quo- J. Hendren, Hester, Hill, K. Ingram, Irvin, B. state’s new heavy weight permit for rum courts before the issuance of bonds Johnson, M. Johnson, G. Leding, Maloch, agriculture includes a truck tractor and for waste districts. SB 599 provides more M. Pitsch, Rapert, Rice, B. Sample, G. semi-trailer-trailer combination. accountability for these types of bonds Stubblefield, J. Sturch, D. Wallace and possibly prevent another waste Grain Grading district failure like the one experienced in Nays: 1 HB 1846, now Act 795, by Rep. Dan the northern part of the state. Hickey Sullivan and Sen. Blake Johnson requires Civil Immunity the Arkansas Department of Agricul- Non Voting: 2 ture to promulgate rules for a certifica- Rep. DeAnn Vaught passed HB 1497, Flippo, Teague tion program, based on USDA Federal now Act 518, to provide civil immunity Grain Inspection standards, to ensure for owners of stolen agricultural equip- grain buyers are training staff in the scale ment or off-road vehicles if that equip- Present: 0 house. ment is used in a crime and the crime To obtain the federal license the ap- results in damages, injuries or deaths. Excused: 0 plicant must: This act will provide protection for farm- 1. Fill out an application ers. HOUSE VOTE: 3/28/2019 2. Say they know how to grade grain Yeas: 77 Bottle Deposit Bill 3. Have elevator sign off F. Allen, Barker, Bentley, Berry, Blake, The Arkansas Department of Agri- HB 1771 by Rep. Vivian Flowers Boyd, Bragg, Breaux, Brown, Burch, Capp, culture will now be able to certify grain would have created a statewide bottle grading courses and inspect scale houses deposit and recycling program for bever- Cavenaugh, Cloud, Clowney, Coleman, A. to ensure graders are following proper age bottles, but was defeated in the House Collins, C. Cooper, Cozart, Crawford, Dalby, sampling and grading procedures as Public Health Committee. HB 1771 cre- A. Davis, M. Davis, Della Rosa, Dotson, Eu- outlined by the USDA. An elevator would ated a fund for recycling paid for by levy- banks, Evans, D. Ferguson, Fielding, C. Fite, be required to hold a grain sample with ing a five cent deposit on bottles at retail L. Fite, Fortner, D. Garner, Gates, Gazaway, excessive damage for two days to give and one cent fee to distributors. Consum- Glover, Godfrey, Hillman, G. Hodges, M. farmers the ability to challenge the grade. ers would be able to redeem bottles at Hodges, Holcomb, Hollowell, L. Johnson, The sample of grain would be sent to an redemption centers for the five cents. The Kelly, Ladyman, Love, Lowery, Lundstrum, official USDA grading agency to grade centers would be funded by the one cent Maddox, Magie, J. Mayberry, McCollum, the disputed sample, and their grade paid by distributors. Farm Bureau policy McCullough, McKenzie, S. Meeks, Miller, of the sample, whether better or worse, supports a reduction in litter and a bottle would be the new official grade. For the deposit program. In Littering 171, we Penzo, Perry, Petty, Pilkington, Richardson, purposes of this bill, excessive damage is recommend enforcement of litter laws. Richmond, Rushing, Rye, Scott, Slape, B. only based on foreign matter and dam- 2. We support: Smith, S. Smith, Sullivan, Tosh, Vaught, age. The act does not include moisture 2.1. The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Wardlaw, Warren, Watson, D. Whitaker, and only applies to corn, soybeans and Commission. Wing, Womack, Wooten wheat. 2.2. Local and regional recycling centers. Nays: 12 Tax Exemptions 2.3. A comprehensive statewide Beck, Christiansen, D. Douglas, V. Flowers, Rep. Chris Richey filed HB 1871 to recycling bill. House, Jean, Jett, McNair, Richey ,Sorvillo, create a sales tax exemption for agricul- 5. A minimum deposit of 10 cents ture parts and labor but the bill was not should be required on all beverage Speaks, Walker heard in committee. bottles or cans. Freshman representative Craig Non Voting: 11 Christiansen filed HB 1539 to create a Nursery Fraud Act of 1919 Deffenbaugh, Eaves, K. Ferguson, Gonzales, sales tax exemption for water purchases The Red Tape Reduction Working M. Gray, Hawks, Lynch, Murdock, Nicks, by a poultry farm used exclusively in the Group has proposed the elimination or Payton, Mr. Speaker operation of the farm. The bill was never revision of several licenses in Arkansas. heard in committee. Sen. Cooper filed SB 166 striking the Present: 0 SB 261 (Garner) would have cre- code related to nursery licenses. This is ated a sales tax exemption for all-terrain an old section of code dating from 1919, continues 13 but upon hearing from nursery operators Arkansas Farm Driving Under the Influence Bureau and the Arkansas Green Industry Association op- Rep. LeAnn Burch filed HB 1411, now Act 654, to posing the bill, the sponsor withdrew the legislation. amend the code requiring blood alcohol testing for fatal ac- cidents, accidents when there is reason to believe death may Internet Access result or accidents when a person sustains serious bodily Rep. DeAnn Vaught and Sen. Breanne Davis filed SB injury. The law will now apply to accidents occurring on all- 150, now Act 198, to advance internet access in the state. terrain vehicles and agriculture equipment. Act 198 allows cities and county governments to partner with a private provider of broadband internet to provide Animal Care and Welfare internet services. Act 198 allows rural areas to qualify for Veterinarian Technicians and Technologist Licensure grant funds and make progress in ongoing efforts connect Rep. DeAnn Vaught and Sen. Bruce Maloch were lead to broadband internet. Farm Bureau supported this bill. sponsors of HB 1124, now Act 169, to create licenses for veterinarian technologists and technicians. Both licenses would be governed by the Veterinary Medical Examining Board. A veterinary technologist would be a graduate of a four-year baccalaureate program accredited by the Ameri- can Veterinary Medical Association. Veterinary technician specialist would be a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist who has completed a formal process of educa- tion, training, experience, and testing through a specialty academy approved by the Committee of Veterinary Techni- cian Specialties of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Technologist and technicians would have a more limited scope of practice than veterinar- ians and work in practice with a licensed veterinarian. HB 1146, now Act 286, by Rep. Sarah Capp and Sen. Gary Stubblefield requires individuals to obtain an equine massage license from the Medical Veterinary Licensing Board before engaging in the practice of equine massage therapy. HB 1778 by Rep. Jim Sorvillo would have increased maximum fines for the offense of animal cruelty for cats and dogs to $2,500. It would have changed the minimum fine on second offense from $400 to $1,000. The bill would have applied a felony after a third offense in five years. The bill failed on the House floor. Farm Bureau policy opposes changes to the current law. HB 1264, now Act 139, by Rep. John Payton and Sen. Scott Flippo removes the requirement that chiropractors only engage in chiropractic care of an animal under the im- mediate supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Industrial Hemp HB 1270, now Act 140, by Rep. David Hillman autho- rizes the State Plant Board to establish fees to administer the industrial hemp research program. HB 1363, now Act 161, also by Rep. Hillman, appropriates $30,000 to the Agri- culture Department – State Plant Board for the Industrial Hemp Research Program.

Environment HB 1362, now Act 177, by Rep. and Sen. Bill Sample requires the Arkansas Department of Environ- mental Quality to implement the collection and disposal, or the collection and recycling of extra-large tires. Transfers $300,000 to the Used Tire Recycling Fund for those pur- poses. HB 1709, now Act 668, by Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Lance Eads amends language relating to user fees for Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality nutrient

14 water quality trading offset program. Bates, or at least their likenesses, to Washington D.C. to SB 377, now Act 695, by Sen. Missy Irvin and Rep. represent Arkansas in the U.S. Capitol. Daisy Bates was a Michelle Gray distributes $300,000 of the revenue collected civil rights activist, writer and publisher who worked and from landfill fees to the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program documented the struggle to end segregation in Arkansas. Fund; $150,000 to the scrap metal logbook program. Johnny Cash sold 90 million records and influenced mu- sic across all genres. He is a member of both the Rock and Rural Development Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. The new statues HB 1443, now Act 830, by Rep. DeAnne Vaught and will replace those of Uriah Rose, founder of the Rose Law Sen. Jimmy Hickey increases the number of cities that are Firm, and former senator and governor James P. Clarke. considered areas of operation under the Arkansas Rural Both statues probably have spent more than a century in the Development Act, by adding the territory of cities with U.S. Capitol; Rose was added in 1917 and Clarke in 1921. between 5,500 and 9,000 population. The switch will be years in the making because fundrais- ing for the replacements will need to take place before the Mineral and Property Rights and Taxes work will be commissioned. The current statues will likely HB 1559, now Act 538, by Rep. Lane Jean and Sen. return to Arkansas’ Capitol or perhaps the Old State House Matt Pitsch requires notice to the county assessor when Museum. mineral rights are subject to a division order or declaration of interest. Exempts the required electronic format for op- Other Acts of Interest erators of ten or fewer producing wells. Establishes penalties HB 1250, now Act 219, by Rep. Dan Douglas requires for noncompliance. a municipal annexation ordinance to be heard at three con- HB 1663, now Act 708, by Rep. Jasen Kelly and Sen. secutive regular meetings of the municipal governing body. Jane English requires a majority of the landowners in an HB 1699, now Act 846, by Rep. authorizes improvement district with fewer than 1,000 landowners to the incidental sale of raw sheeps milk. approve it may issue bonds or approve a transaction that HB 1744, now Act 671, by Rep. Sarah Capp and Sen. would add to the indebtedness of the district. Blake Johnson authorizes a study of ATV trail expansion, SB 282, now Act 451, by Sen. Trent Garner and Rep. including the use of ATVs in state parks, by the Agriculture, Ken Brag reduces the percent of ownership interest in tim- Forestry and Economic Development Committees. ber property that must give consent before removal and sale of timber when the co-owners or co-heirs are unknown or Effective Dates unlocatable, from 80 percent to 60 percent. Unless an Act indicates a different effective date, bills in Arkansas become effective 90 days after Sine Die or official Elections adjournment. For the regular session of the 92nd General SB 346, now Act 376, by Sen. Matt Pitsch and Rep. Assembly that date is July 24, 2019. Most appropriation bills DeAnnVaught requires the State Board of Election Com- match the fiscal year and become effective on July 1, 2019. missioners, rather than the Attorney General, to determine We have noted the different effective dates of several other whether a submitted ballot title and popular name are bills. sufficient; amends the signature approval process of the Secretary of State. SB 445, now Act 545, by Sen. Trent Garner and Rep. Grant Hodges establishes new school board election and primary dates. School board elections in even numbered years shall be held on the primary date or the general elec- tion date; in odd numbered years those elections shall be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of No- vember or the third Tuesday in May. In the years when the office of governor appears on the ballot, the general primary shall be held on the third Tuesday in June, the preferential primary will be four weeks before the general. In years when the office of President of the United States appears on the ballot, the preferential primary will be the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, the general primary will follow four weeks later. The party filing period will be one week in duration. In years when the office of governor is on the ballot, it will begin one week prior to the first day in March. For years when the office of President of the United States appears on the ballot, party filing will begin on the first Monday of November.

Daisy and Johnny SB 75, now Act 581, will send Johnny Cash and Daisy

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